Ron Pynenburg's Retirement
It’s official, Ron has left the building.
It’s with mixed emotions that we announce and celebrate the retirement of one of our founding directors, Ron Pynenburg. His career designing brilliant architecture has challenged the status quo, and after 40 years he’s stepping back from full-time involvement.
We join Ron’s architectural and construction community, along with his many clients and industry colleagues, to wish him all the best as he enters semi-retirement. While his guidance, expertise, and mentoring will be missed, we know he has a date with those tramping boots.
I’ve been lucky to have worked for 40 years with my mate. An amazing journey together creating a vibrant business, great architecture and we’ve stayed friends through thick and thin.
In the early days we used to say “if we knew what we were getting into we would never have started” but that’s not true, it’s been a huge success and absolutely no regrets!
-Ken Collins
History
Ron Pynenburg has been a driving force. Along with Ken Collins, Ron established Pynenburg & Collins Architects in 1981, and Lab-works Architecture in 2001, and is an expert in Building Act, building code compliance, and accessibility provision. As a former president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) and previous chair of the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB), Ron has been a vital player in New Zealand’s architectural profession.
Ron’s interest in remote environments led to a rich portfolio of off-the-grid designs. As a passionate tramper, Ron has worked on numerous projects for the Department of Conservation since 1995, designing the next generation of backcountry huts. He also spent “10 glorious years” working on the facilities at Scott Base in Antarctica. More history here >>
We threw a ‘Ron Voyage’ party in December to celebrate his career. The PCA team came together to share stories, give gifts, and send Ron off onto his next chapter.
“It has been a huge success with no regrets – I feel very privileged to have had a professional career in which I’ve done what I’ve done. But I couldn’t have done it without Ken from the start and everyone else on the way through, and so to you - thanks for the Ron Voyage, thanks for the memories, and thanks for the joy.”
Moving Forward
Both Pynenburg & Collins Architects and Lab-works Architecture will continue designing brilliant architecture under the leadership of our Founding Director Ken Collins and Principals; Joanne Kelly, Jody Seabright, Mark Holmes and Melissa Edwards.
Over the past year, Ron has taken a backseat, handing his work-in-progress projects over to our experienced and capable team. We will continue to follow Ron’s lead in producing first class commercial, community, off-the-grid, and residential design. He’ll always be in the background, especially when there’s cheese and wine involved.
Ron will continue to offer his services, focusing on Building Act and Building Code Compliance advice, under the trading name Pynenburg Building Consultants Ltd.
If you’re looking for Ron, he’ll be down in Albert Town, riding his e-bike, drinking Pinot Noir.
Enjoy the hills Ron, we’ll miss you.
